Resources for new chicken owners...

[HenHouse4Life]

Welcome aboard!! Glad you're here!
Believe it or not a lot of chicken keeping is a lot of common sense that you'll get figured out and especially what works best for you on your homestead.
Cleaning the coop is just that...cleaning haha! Chickens do most of their pooping during the night while they're roosting so have an easy access for yourself as far as cleaning under the roost.
We use sand for the floor of the run. It's economical and easy to clean any poop...don't use play sand..it's too fine for the chickens.
I don't like to use straw in the coop because when it gets wet it gets moldy and that can lead to respiratory and/or other health issues for the chickens.
Always provide fresh water daily and have food available at all times. Hanging feeders and waterers are great options. As you go along you'll change some of your methods. A lot of folks use PVC for feeding...gravity feeding is a wonderful thing!
Oyster shells are great when your girls are laying as well as a nutritious laying feed.
You can also cook up scrambled eggs for them as a great source of protein!
Collect eggs frequently during the day.
Most of all enjoy your flock! Having chickens should be enjoyable and you should want to spend time with them and enjoy the chores!
Best of luck to you and your flock!

 

[aart]

BYC is the best website for sure for all your answers. Ask questions, than ask some more.

Ditto Dat^^^^

Try out the search function

 

[sumi]

A quick search, or "Choogling" a topic as I call it, here will find you detailed answers to questions you didn't even know you had yet There is a ton of information here. I'd suggest looking through the Learning Center articles as well:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/learning-center.11/

 

[BantyChooks]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive.72529/
And here's a link to all the topic of the week threads. There's some really great information there.

 

[PirateGirl]

I was just going to mention the articles section of the website.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

It's easier to find and navigate on a desktop vs a mobile device.

I also like the book Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. You can read the parts that apply to you and skip the rest and then in 6 months or a year or when a problem arises it's easy to go back in and find the info you may need.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

can i ask you a question?
this is all i know:
oyster shells, grit, clean run 1x a week, nesting box, keep water fresh. what are some other essential pieces of info??

You’re gonna need to feed them also! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself! Welcome to BYC!

 

[sumi]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive.72529/
And here's a link to all the topic of the week threads. There's some really great information there.

I can't believe I forgot about those! Thanks, Chicken, for stepping in in my pre-coffee moments

 

[BantyChooks]

I can't believe I forgot about those! Thanks, Chicken, for stepping in in my pre-coffee moments

You of all people—the TOW starter! Shame. Best brew another whole pot.

 

[SW31]

I’m also a novice, just 9 months experience. This site is the best I’ve come across as many members are extremely knowledgable on chicken husbandry. They’ve usually seen it before and ask good questions to make sure they understand your issue.

 

[hihuckleberry]

I clean as often as necessary. Anytime it starts stinking, I'm cleaning. It changes throughout the year as to how often. Chickens are sensitive to ammonia smells and moldy bedding, both can cause respiratory problems.

I feed my chickens either an All Flock ration or a non medicated grower starter depending on whether I have chicks in my flocks or not. I keep a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. Grit should always be available too.

Definitely fresh water, preferably every day. Some people like to add stuff to their water but I prefer my birds to get fresh water with no additives.

You will get lots of ways and opinions on keeping chickens, and you will develop a style that fits your birds and your lifestyle. No one way is right for everyone.

That's the appeal of chicken keeping, so many different ways, all can work. I recommend reading, reading, and more reading, than applying what makes sense to you, than tweaking things as necessary.

thank you that is incredible encouraging love having chickens so far, they are so great and funny